The first morning in Dublin + Croke Park April 11th

 

CROKE PARK:

Monday the 11^th of April, we went to Croke Park, which is a Gaelic sports stadium. We were on a guided tour around the inner, outer and upper stadium, and saw things like the dressing rooms, the players, lounge and the warm-up areas. Here we learned about the different teams, and that everything in the players’ lounge is made out of Irish materials. We were also told about the very expensive chandelier whose colours change depending on the colours of teams that are using the lounge, and how they had to put up mirrors to make it look like they had more than one chandelier because they couldn't afford more than one.

We had a very kind guide who actually had a relation to one of the victims of the “Bloody Sunday” 1920 in Croke Park where 14 people were killed by the British Auxiliary Force.

During our tour we learned that Croke Park isn't home ground for any special team. They support all teams that do Gaelic sports. We learned something about the two sorts of Gaelic sports Hurling and Gaelic football in a short film called “A Sunday in September” which was about the Gaelic sports culture, the finals and how the events are held today. The two sports are very different from anything we know in Denmark, but quite surprisingly we discovered that there's a Hurling team in Copenhagen.

 

The visit ended up in an activity room with different places to try things that had to do with the two sports we'd recently learned about. Afterwards, we split into groups and went to different parts of Dublin to do some research for a school assignment.

No and Katrine

WB PICTURES:
 NO  TRYING THE ACTIVITY TEST IN HURLING. A BALL IN A REAL MATCH MAY REACH A SPEED OF UP TO 180 KMS

.
TRYING THE HURLEY NIELS PETER REACHED A SPEED OF 92 KMS.  MAI HAD A GO AT IT, TOO.
THOMAS BECAME THE CHAMPION WITH 94 KMS,
FAR BEYOND MOST OF THE OTHERS IN 2AB.

 2AB STUDENTS WORKING TOGETHER TO GET
A VERY HIGH SCORE.
A BIT OF INNOCENT CHEATING, THOUGH.

 The first morning in Dublin
After a long trip yesterday in the bus, we were a bit tired. But a new town was about to be explored, so we grabbed some breakfast and took off. The breakfast was no delight, but the excitement seemed overwhelming, and therefore we did not really care. First, we crossed the river and continued to the General Post Office. The shoot marks from the Easter Rising were still noticeable, but inside it was in good condition.

Close to the GPO, we took a look at the great Spire of Light, which is a symbol of peace. You cannot avoid seeing a 121.2 metres high tower in the middle of the city.

 The Garden of Remembrance was really special because of the weapons in the basin. It is dedicated to all those who gave their lives in the cause for Irish Freedom. The weapons are a metaphor for throwing hatred away. Then we had lunch, and passed along to Croke Park.

It was important for us to see because of all the background knowledge we had. We knew a bit about the Easter Rising, but it was nice to see it with our own eyes. Now it was easier to understand, and we could see it from a larger perspective. The solidarity and the spirit made it  a great day.

Stine & Ditte 2.ab

April 10th :

Evening – musical pub crawl in Dublin 

by Sofie and Emilie R.

Sunday noon April 10th : Stormont, Downpatrick to Dublin arrival in Kinlay House 

by Ida og Monica

Stormont: When we came by  bus to Stormont, the parliament of Northern Ireland, the first sight of it was very beautiful: It was a huge old building and was located on the top of a hill which gave a fantastic view. The weather was sunny and hot, so some found a spot on the green grass and lay down in the sun. We didn’t stay long before we went into the bus again and drove further on.

Down Patrick: When we arrived atthe small town of  Downpatrick, we first had a break where we could get something to eat. Not many places were open; some went to “Lidl”, some to “Subway” while some just had a very bad meal. (Morten was very upset) After the break we went to the church where Sankt Patrick had probably been buried. There was a big stone in honor of him, which means the same to the Irish people as the “Jellinge-Stone” to Danish people. Wivian and Anders told us the historical facts about Sankt Patrick and the place.

Arrival at Kinlay House: The weather was still fantastic, but when we came into the bus everybody fell asleep – the quietest time during the whole trip while the class was together. When we arrived in Dublin, our first impression of our Hostel, the Kinlay House, was very good: A young man told us about the rules and the whole hostel seemed very youthful. Our rooms were fine with bunk beds and a bathroom in each room. We were very pleased with the place.

Sunday morning: Milltown, Falls and Shankill/ Ardoyne/ Springfield Road

 by Thomas and Morten